Former winning Boise State University head football coach Skip Hall was born February 18, 1944 in Minnesota. He was not born in a Christian home, he said; in fact, it would be another 35 years after his birth before he'd give his life to God. In the meantime, he found his fulfillment in athletics.

“My parents divorced when I was 4,” he said. He remained with his mother and younger brother, moving to Seattle at one point and then, later, back to Minnesota, where his grandfather lived. Skip attended high school and college in Minnesota and discovered the saving grace of sports.

“Sports was my anchor all those years; it kept me on the right side of the tracks,” he said.

“Coaches were my fathers.” He still stays in touch with the man who coached him in both high school and college in football, basketball and baseball — Charlie Basch, now 92.

At Minnesota's Concordia College (now Concordia University), Skip majored in physical education and biology and also earned a teaching certificate. After graduating, he got a job as a teacher and football and basketball coach at a high school in Henning, Minnesota. Over the next three years, he would experience great success with his teams, coaching them on to championship seasons.

He got an itch to coach at the college level, so he headed off to the University of Colorado at Boulder to get his master's degree in education and administration. He kept his hand in coaching while there and said, “I got hooked on college coaching.” The thrill of watching Colorado beat Alabama was a special high for him.

His exemplary skills led other coaches to seek him out. When Don James got the head coaching job at Kent State in Ohio in the early 1970s, he asked Skip to be his assistant coach. It was a 5-year position that would lead to four championships for Kent State. “One of our players was Nick Saban, now the head coach at the University of Alabama,” Skip said.

In 1975, when Don moved on to the University of Washington, he once again asked Skip to be his assistant coach and, once again, it was a football success story. The Huskies went to 10 bowls, including three times to the Rose Bowl and one time to the Orange Bowl.

By then, Skip had married his wife Virginia, and of those gridiron glory years, he said, “We call those our Camelot years.”

It was around this time that Skip, now 35 and a family man as well as a successful coach, began to think about things beyond sports, including spiritual things. He became a Christian and attributes it to what he calls “The 3 P's.” Those include:

A pastor, Chuck Swindoll (author, radio personality, and leader of Insight for Living Ministries)

A player, Mike Rohrbach (who went on to launch Run to Win Outreach)

And a partner: his wife Virginia

Skip said he would listen to Chuck Swindoll's radio show while at the University of Washington and liked it so much he called Pastor Swindoll and offered him tickets to the Rose Bowl. Though the pastor said he would not be able to make the game, he reciprocated by inviting the Halls to his church in Fullerton, California. It was the beginning of a long friendship that included travels with Swindoll and his wife to the Greek Isles, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel.

Skip said he and Virginia especially enjoyed the 1982 trip to Israel: “The sight and sounds there brought the Bible to life.”

Skip's faith was transformational for him.

“Becoming a Christian made me a better coach and a better husband and father; I learned the importance of reaching out to others,” he said. “Previously I was so focused and driven to win.”

He actually possesses a box that has all the things in it he used to value most. He calls it “god in a box” because it holds all his former idols, such as football championship rings. Now, his priority isn't a football playbook but Scripture; he quotes Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“My priorities changed. I still got to the top, but God and I were doing the things together now,” he said.

In 1987, he was asked to interview at Boise State for the head coach position. He was at BSU from 1987 to 1992, compiling a Bronco winning record of 42-28. Like so many football coaches at BSU, he was highly regarded by the fans. “In Idaho, the BSU coach is right up there with the governor. Football means a lot to Idahoans.

”Still, he said, “You know when it's time to go into a place, and you know when it's time to leave.” From 1993 to 1997, he coached at the University of Missouri. Following that, he retired from football, and he and Virginia moved to Phoenix, Arizona. “Virginia and I are a team, and we made the decision together.”

Throughout his career, Virginia was as much a part of football as her husband; at one point, she served as president of the National Association of Football Wives. “I used to tell people, 'I live with a big shot,'” said Skip.

After coaching for 30 years, he went to work with Aflac as the regional manager and recruiting coordinator focused on team building. That's what he had done for so many years: recruit, coach and build teams. In 2006, after eight years in Arizona, he was offered the same position in Idaho, where his children and grandchildren live. Virginia, wanting to be near family, told her husband, “We're leaving.”

Skip's business career continued in the Gem State, and in 2008, he became the managing director for Principal Financial Group in Boise. Later, in 2012, he and his son Chris opened Hall & Associates in Boise.

Skip now also hosts his own radio program called Game Plan for Life on 94.1 The Voice. He interviews coaches, players, and business and ministry leaders. The show airs each Saturday morning at10 a.m. “I draw the stories out of the people I interview — I let them tell the story,” he said.

His guests have included Chris Peterson and Bryan Harsin, past and present BSU football coaches. He continues to pay close attention to both the University of Washington and Boise State football. “They're both excellent programs; they're doing the right things,” he said.

Skip believes the best way to coach is through positive reinforcement, or what he calls a “Coach 'EmUp” style. As a Christian coach, he emphasized two things:

Encouragement: “Encouragement is the fuel that propels people.”

Hope: “Hope is the anchor of our soul.”

“The true measure of a coach is not wins or losses but the men and women our players become,” he said.

Blair and Molly Lilly are the co-pastors at Church in the Dirt in Homedale. They're also award-winning musicians. (Photo by Steve Jones)

By Gaye Bunderson

For people who attend the Church in the Dirt in Homedale, there are strings attached. Fortunately, those strings are on a guitar, and they're the only “strings attached” you'll find there.

“Our church is come-as-you-are — and that means more than what you're wearing,” said Blaine Lilly, co-founder with his wife, Molly, of Church in the Dirt.

“We don't really realize how many people fear going to church,” Molly said.

“We get people who don't want to go to stained glass window churches,” Blaine said, while Molly explained she's had people tell her that if they went to a church like that, “the roof would fall in.”

For those believers who thought they'd never hear of a place of worship called Church in the Dirt, rest assured it's everything a church should be: God-inspired, Christ-centered, and full of faith as well as some darn good music.

The Lillys are longtime singers and musicians; Blaine plays the guitar and Molly plays the keyboards. They've entertained throughout the country, together and separately; in fact, that's how they originally met. Both of them were performing at a Wounded Warrior Project event at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. (Blaine is originally from Texas, while Molly was born and raised in Jordan Valley, Ore.)

Blaine said he and Molly spoke to one other at the San Antonio event, but nothing happened. “We talked and then went on our way.”

They ultimately met up again while performing in Branson, Mo. — two years after their initial conversation. They didn't recognize each other at first, but Blaine jokes that after he realized he knew Molly from a previous meeting, “That's when I chased her all around the building.” A friend had told him that if he didn't go after Molly, he was a fool.

The couple married seven months later and hit the road.

“We threw it all together really fast,” Blaine said. “We joined our ministries, and it worked out.”

That was 8½ years ago. They traveled extensively, performing country gospel-style music together.

“My daddy's a preacher, and my granddad was a preacher — I come from a long line of preachers,” Blaine said. “I grew up in church. I always loved music, and sometimes at age 12, I was music worship leader.”

Unfortunately, musical instruments weren't allowed in his childhood church denomination, so hymns were sung 'a cappella.' But Blaine taught himself how to play the guitar at age 14. “Music was the love of my life,” he said. “I wrote songs, like 1960, 1970s country music.”

Meanwhile, across the U.S. in Oregon, Molly was having her own “strict denomination” experience in another church. It helped that her mother started sneaking out of that church and attending what Molly calls a “Spirit-filled church.” That had a pivotal influence on her, along with her brother's salvation. Her male sibling had gotten a reputation for wild living and troublemaking in the family's hometown, but when he turned his heart to God, Molly said he underwent a visible transformation that affected her.

Molly admits that both she and Blaine had a few of their own oat-sowing years. Blaine's career originally started out in bars and similar venues.

“We had our wild times,” said Molly, “but we both thought there must be more to God.”

Despite the limits of their youthful church experiences, a seed of faith was planted that never died. Molly eventually attended Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Okla. After she hooked up with Blaine, he attended the Domata School of Ministry, also in Broken Arrow.

After recording a CD in Nashville at one point, the couple was heading to Idaho to perform.

“My mom kept praying, 'Use Blaine and Molly mightily,'” Molly said. But her mom would also insert a request in her prayers that her daughter and son-in-law would be used mightily in this area and not so far away.

Molly's mother now lives in Caldwell, and once while visiting her, Molly said the Lord spoke to her early in the morning — He told her to get up and go for a drive. She drove to Homedale, and when she got to the small community of roughly 2,600 people, she felt a strong “turn here” message.

While she drove around town thinking “What am I doing here?”, she came upon Badiola Arena. She knew the Lord was telling her that's where she and Blaine belonged.

Blaine's part of the story goes back roughly 12 years. In about 2006, he said, the Lord told him he was going to plant a cowboy church in the West. It was a profound feeling, but it left him a little baffled. He was traveling all over the country performing his music and wasn't quite sure how a church plant vaguely “in the West” was going to come about. When Molly found Badiola Arena, suddenly he knew.

“I thought, 'This is God's plan.' I felt perfect peace,” Blaine said. Things fell into place and a lot of people started getting involved in the new church.

That was two years ago. Services were held in the arena, but when bad weather set in and the arena's heating wasn't sufficient, Lori Badiola*, owner of the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro in Homedale, invited the Lillys to bring their church services indoors, and that's what they did.

“The Tango Saloon is classy,” Molly said. There's no smoking, and it's a nice atmosphere. Church fits well there on a Sunday morning. There's even a Lil Buckaroos program for children led by Destry Campbell, associate pastor at the church.

Molly's mom, now 94, is a church regular also.

“This has been a lifelong prayer of my mother's, that the cowboys would be reached for God,” Molly said.

If you're not a cowboy, you're still welcome at Church in the Dirt. Though many attendees love the country gospel sound that permeates the services, Blaine said some of the people who show up “probably like heavy metal.”

Also, anyone who attends may wear a cowboy hat, or any kind of hat for that matter.

“When I was growing up, you'd go to church and hang your hat on a hook and pick it up after service; now, I wear my hat the whole time, unless there's prayer, and then I hold it over my heart,” Blaine said.

The Lillys perform their “kickin' country” music at rodeos and fairs and have won Country Gospel Music Association awards as Vocalists of the Year — Blaine winning top male vocalist four times and Molly getting top female vocalist one time. But their emphasis is always on using their talents for God and others. Their come-as-you-are church seems to be working.

Church member Wade Black, equine instructor at Treasure Valley Community College, said: “Blaine and Molly have been obedient to their calling, and their passion and love for people is contagious. In the Kingdom it is all about surrendering to Jesus and allowing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to work in and through our life. Blaine and Molly model this in their worship and the message spoken at Church in the Dirt.”

“Cowboys come to God, get a strong heart for God, and grow in the Word,” Molly said. “Jesus came for the ungodly, so none of us are unqualified.”

Church in the Dirt Times, Dates, Places & Events

The Church in the Dirt meets every Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro at 406 U.S. Hwy. 95 in Homedale.

Also, church members meet every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at 324 Hwy. 95, which is the lumber yard building next to the Tango. All are welcome.

The church holds an annual Outdoor Christmas Concert (the Lillys are professional musicians). This year it will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 15, in the parking lot at Badiola Arena, 402 U.S. Hwy. 95 in Homedale.

According to Molly, there will be a “huge” bonfire, with kids roasting marshmallows. There will also be s'mores, hot chocolate, eggnog, and chorizo wraps. Santa will be passing out old-fashioned candy bags, and there will be hayrides for everyone.

For more information, contact the Lillys at blainelilly@hotmail.com or call them at 208-504-8564 and 830-834-0994.

*Husband and wife Ben and Lori Badiola own the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro, as well as Badiola Arena, in Homedale.

The world we live in moves very fast, with the emphasis oftentimes being, “the bigger the better.” We not only expect big and wonderful things in life, but we want them right now. In reality, many things that end up great and long-lasting start small. This is true in business, relationships, and even our walk with God.

Steve and Wendy Smith, who founded Spyglass Gardens 18 years ago, remind me in many ways of the mustard seed parable in the Bible. It, and the lesson it teaches, appears three times in the Bible, in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Luke 13: 88-19 says, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and put in his own garden. It grew, and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches.”

Although knowing each other for 10 years prior to dating, it was a blind date that set the course of the Smiths' future, in both their relationship and business — both starting out small. The connector (the person who arranged the date) said to Steve, “You would be great friends so call her and see what happens.”

What happened is a lovely story that yields many lessons and has brought joy to so many people.

Wendy was brought up Christian and had a love and faith in God. This wasn’t necessarily the case for Steve. Steve was brought up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and while he always believed in God, he wasn’t very confident in the church he was attending. He left that church when he was 14 years old.

Early in the Smiths' relationship, Steve needed a physical and Wendy referred him to a doctor who frequently spoke about God during visits. Ironically, Steve was the one who asked Wendy, “Would you like to go to church with me?” In 2007, he was saved.Steve had some acreage which had a little garden, and he invited Wendy over. She thought, “This might be pretty fun to do. ... I think God started working on us right from the beginning.”

Within a short time period, she explained, “A guy just showed up and plowed our field.Then, due to road construction, all vehicles from Meridian/Kuna highway were detoured on a path that took them right past Spyglass Gardens, which allowed us to sell all of our produce.”

Now people knew where they were and what they offered, and with each passing year, the business grew and grew.

After eight years of running this business with zero issues, Ada County got involved and, long story short, told them to cease operation. (County officials did the same to two other farms.) Steve and Wendy had long ago obtained all required permits and paperwork, but due to a small, obscure and rarely enforced rule, the farm business was halted.

The year was 2008, the recession had hit, and they felt that perhaps God was testing them. Having the farm shut down was indeed a large test of faith, but what came next was an even bigger test — but also a blessing. Do you ever question God’s timing? That same year, Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The doctor who helped him through this was a great Christian man. The same doctor who “preached” to Steve during his physical exam also was involved. People from their church were supportive, as well as the many clients and friends they'd made over the years.

Due to the farm ceasing operation, Steve had more time to focus on his health. His prostate cancer was not a traditional type, so if he'd been prescribed the normal course of action, “he would have been dead within a year,” Wendy said. The cancer was in an unusual location and had God not been involved and time not made available, this story would not have a happy ending. One might surmise that the reason the farm was shut down was so there wouldn’t be any distractions for Steve's recovery. His cancer was eliminated and, as of today, he continues to be cancer-free.

As Wendy sat down at the computer and searched how to sell their farm, something popped up that caught her attention: CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

The website had free downloads, information, and all that they needed to pursue a new direction for the farm. Sending out an email to their client list to test the waters, 35 people signed up for their newly formed CSA. Being one of the first to have a CSA in the valley, you could say they were pioneers of what has become a very popular program over the last decade.

(Information from https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/community-supported-agriculture: “Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.”)

Ten years have gone by and the CSA continues to flourish. Interestingly, the vast majority of their CSA members are Christian. This certainly isn’t a prerequisite, but when you visit the farm, you will encounter a strong sense of calm and goodness from all directions. While picking up produce, the CSA members find it a natural occurrence to have discussions (fellowship), and the Gospel is oftentimes a topic. Isn’t it interesting how God works?

With weekends oftentimes being spent in Cascade, Idaho, the Smiths found a church in the area and joined. Oddly enough, this church decided that there was too much “Bible talk” and changed how sermons were led, and things just weren’t the same — it became foreign and strange. Steve and Wendy, and countless others, left that church and started meeting together in...you guessed it...a small way. This small group has now grown and turned into another new church, which doesn’t have restrictions on “Bible talk.”

In addition to a variety of farming skills they have acquired, Spyglass Gardens uses open-air ditches, drip systems, and a settling pond, which means the water used actually leaves the farm cleaner than when it came in. They don’t use chemicals or pesticides either, allowing you to know exactly what you are eating when you get produce from Spyglass Gardens. Although their farm is not certified “organic,” it’s fresh, all-natural, and as close as you can get. What most people don’t realize is the definition and requirements of being organic in the USA are not the same as in other countries, although the FDA claims to be cracking down on food coming into our country. This is a big deal, considering a bulk of the fruit and vegetables you see in the grocery store are from other countries.

Wendy spends the morning in prayer in their greenhouse, and Steve talks to the plants and prays over the food during his morning walk of the farm. They appreciate what God has provided to them, which in turn provides such amazing things to others. When they tried to use all of the acreage to farm, “something always would fail,” Wendy said. “It didn’t matter if we had 12 people helping or 5, we found that you have to give something back.”

Giving something back, such as leaving one acre fallow as they do each year, is another lesson from the Bible. “It’s not how much you plant; it’s how well you take care of it and nurture things,” Wendy reminded me.

In addition to providing fresh and all-natural food to people, the Smiths offer classes on planting, canning, preserving, and bulk orders, and are heavily sought after for custom flower pots and baskets. They also sell eggs from the chickens they raise, and the list just goes on and on. A certain portion of their yield is donated to help feed others, a program they have had in place for years.

Whether you end up buying anything from them or not, I would highly recommend stopping by and introducing yourself. What you will find in Steve and Wendy are genuine, loving, caring, and giving people. When taking a walk around their farm, I might have “accidentally” picked a few things and sampled them right then. Their little slice of heaven provides so much for people on an individual basis, but also they are a huge asset to the community. When you tour their farm, you absolutely will leave in a good mood and will likely have two new incredible friends.

You can consistently count on Steve and Wendy, and Spyglass Gardens, to bring back your faith in humanity. This couple, brought together by God, proves that when you listen and obey God, amazing gifts overflow in your life, which blesses others.

A multi-business owner in Meridian for more than 20 years, Ronald Kern and his wife sold their businesses in 2013. Ron is a serial entrepreneur, personal and professional consultant, author, columnist, motivational speaker, and philanthropist.